Keep the list open

The last goal on my bucket list isn't necessarily a goal at all. It is only to understand that one should not limit themselves to those things that they already know. Within our lifetime, the world is likely to undergo some very substantial changes. Even currently space travel is becoming more and more corporate, and very likely will be open to the general public before I die. Even more important than the changes we can somewhat predict however, are those that we can't see coming. Two hundred years ago the ideas of flight, space travel, virtual realities, and traveling the world were seen as far fetched. Since that time, these have all become common occurrences that many of us even take for granted. Given the huge strides we have made technologically, even in the past 5 decades, one can see how it would be hard to completely discredit even the most outlandish of ideas as being impossible. For example, scientists are currently working on a design for a "space elevator" that will allow for extremely inexpensive travel out of the earths atmosphere. Ideas such as space elevators and the like seem impossible now, but may be much more realistic than we give them credit for. It is for this reason that my last goal is to keep up with the times. I do not know what it is that I need to do before I die, solely because that thing probably has not been invented yet. More important than that knowledge, is the openness to change, and willingness to extend yourself beyond your comfort zone. Given the ever-advancing nature of our technology, the longer I live, the more things I will have to add to my bucket-list, which is just fine with me. As far as I'm concerned, the more I can do, the better.

Get up and get out

As I wrap up my bucket list I wanted to look for anything I may have missed. Obviously a mere 10 entries cannot come close to fulfilling all of my life goals, but I think it is important to be sure that I at least acknowledge those goals that I hold most dear. The next goal on my list is yet again a lifelong goal with no clear end in sight. My goals is to take every opportunity I can to travel the globe and learn about new customs, people, geographies, and the world in general. Traveling may be expensive and sometimes difficult to time, but creates experiences which can be life changing. I have not traveled much. I have been to roughly 20 different states, but have only left the U.S. once, to go to Ecuador. Being in Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Among other things I got to see a sloth, anacondas, alligators, monkeys, pythons, macaws, and even one of only four species of freshwater dolphin. I was able to catch Piranha, and then later that night go swimming in the very same river I had been fishing in for the hungry beasts. Having that experience made me crave to explore new and interesting places, but unfortunately since that time roughly 2 and a half years ago, I have yet again not left the country. That is why, this semester, I decided I would begin to change that. Next semester I will be studying in Australia. Being a diver this is especially exciting to me for some obvious reasons. I couldn't help but feel though, that I would not get the cultural shock that I was looking for. That's when I decided it was time to go for broke. In the last 3 weeks of the semester I set up a trip to go to Thailand over the summer. I will be spending 7 weeks on a small remote island called Koh Lipe, during which time I will achieve my dive master certification. I will be leaving straight from Thailand to go to Australia next semester, which means that I will not see American soil for roughly 6 months. Given that this is only my second time outside the U.S.A. this trip fills me with some anxiety, and lots and lots of excitement. This trip is the beginning of my adventures. I hope to travel all over the world, and will jump on any opportunity I am presented with. Who knows? Traveling the world could help you find a place that feels more like home than the house you've lived in for your whole life.